The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-22

Objects of interest and beauty are
everywhere. You must have COM
panion to thoroughly appreciate
them-one of those men who know
little about everybody and every
thing. In the course Of your walk
you will, perhaps, pass the homes of
more distinguished men than you
would in any other street in Wash
ington-certainly more than in any
outside of it. Commencing our walk
on the banks of the lovely Potomac,
we stroll along the well graded street
under a perfect bower of lindens.
The houses in this section are not
large nor imposing, but quiet and
uupretentious, the coy cottages
of department clerks and other
employees Of the government.
, AS we continue westernly, how
ever, the housesE grew large
and more elegant, if anything
is more elegant than a pretty tree
towering cottage. But the cottages
give way to tenants with rooms for
rent" in the windows, and these
after while give way to magnificent
and palatial private residences. The
splendid avenue cuts through parks,
skirts around circles and passes
statues in bronze and marble. AS it
advances it grows more and
more beautiful. We come to
the homes of many men distin-
guished in politics, science and lit
erature.. Over there, nearly opposite
one another, you will see the com
Portable home of Senator Vance, and
the more pretentious one of Senator
Van Wyck. Here we pass the mag
niGcent residence Of Alexander Ora
ham Bell, and over the way, stand
ing in a row in Highland place, are
the homes of Secretary Bayard, JUS
tice Miller and Spencer +. Baird.
On still further we reach the charm
ing homes OF Gen. Sheridan aud
Librarian Spofford, and just before
arriving at Dupont circle, we come
to the many gabled house of Secre-
tary Fairchild. Standing in front
of his residence and looking across
the flowers, shrubs and trees OF the |
circle, Stewart Castle looks grimly !
down upon us. Our journey is near
lip over, already we see the heights
Of Kalorama which mark the bound
airy of the city. The last house but |
one before reaching the boundary is
the residence of Senator George f.
Edmunds.
The house in its essential features
is not unlike many Others all around
it. The same red flaming bricks,
the same red sandstone steps and
trimmings, snd the same arched YES
tibule and old fashioned oaken door.
Like a great many Washington man
sions, this one stands on a terrace.
The terrace, however, has been cut
down in front to give light to the
large English basement, but remains
on either side, and gives the house
rather the appearance Of lowness as
you approach it down the avenue.
Just across the street is the famous
Blaine mansion, now occupied in
winter by Millionaire Letter, of Chi
cago.
You enter the house from the
front and have to climb two flights
of stairs to reach the entrance. One
from the street lands you in the
front yard and the other somewhat
longer brings you to the front door.
The interior can scarcely be called
magnificent, but neither can it be
called plain. However, it is better
than either, it is eminently tasty.
A large parlor opens in the hall
and in the rear is the family library.
The parlor is large and handsome,
with many pretty pictures and orna-
ments, but wholly without ostenta-
ton. The library in the rear is
furnished in mahogany and with full
bookcases and charming homelook
is decidedly the pleasant room in the
house. The library consists of the
classics and modern liter
ature, the poets and novelists pre-
dominating. The house throughout
has two predominating features, taste
and comfort, with neither overbal
lncing the other.
Up stairs on the left you will find
The Senator's own private snuggery,
where he does all OF his work. The
'oom is the largest in the house, but
t doesn't look it, for it is crowded
9th books, tables, papers and desks. {
The volumes number about 1000, in I
,luding the Senator'S law library.
The books embrace standard works,
good deal of politics, some religion
Ind any amount of law. He has the
works of Webster, Clay, Jefferson
md Madison occupying hOnored
places. The Senator is thoroughly
Up in English literature and is a
treat reader. Strange to say his re-
creation is in English literature and
here is not in Thackeray, Dickens
IT Scott character he is not tamil
ar with. He reads the works OF
hese authors over and over again.
From the window OF MIR. Ed
nunds' study the view is superb.
40 II L. |